US energy group asks Supreme Court to overturn E15 ethanol blends

The API says higher ethanol blends can damage engines and cause vehicles that use it to break down, even on vehicles that EPA has approved to use the fuel, according to Coordinating Research Council testing. Several auto manufacturers have said they will not honor warranties when E15 causes damage.

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The American Petroleum Institute (API) filed a brief with
the Supreme Court regarding EPAs recent approval of a
blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline (E15), the trade group
said Wednesday.

The API said that E15 ethanol blends have been shown to
damage millions of cars on the road today.

E15 could leave millions of consumers with broken down
cars and high repair bills, said Bob Greco, API group
downstream director.

It could also put motorists in harms way when
vehicles break down in the middle of a busy highway. We are
asking the Supreme Court to step in and protect consumers by
striking down EPAs dangerous E15 mandate before its
too late.

The API says higher ethanol blends can damage
engines and cause vehicles that use it to break down, even on
vehicles that EPA has approved to use the fuel, according to
Coordinating Research Council (CRC) testing.

Several auto manufacturers have said they will not honor
warranties when E15 causes damage.

Ethanol and other renewable fuels play an important
role in our transportation fuel mix, Greco said.
But we cannot allow a mandate for ethanol that exceeds
what is safe for consumers. We call upon EPA to immediately
finalize the 2013 ethanol mandate and also lower the 2014 ethanol mandate to protect consumers
from the introduction of E15.

Greco said that despite evidence of incompatibility problems
with service station equipment and incomplete automobile
testing, EPA approved E15 for 2001 model year and newer cars
and light trucks.

The API noted that is part of a broad coalition of
food, livestock, consumer, and environmental groups
that oppose EPAs approval of E15.

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I am a little bit puzzle about this article, because it does not specify the kind of damage E15 can cause to the vehicle. Before debating on whether E15 should be approved or not, I would like to know how the manufacturer will prove the damage is caused by E15. Does the manufaturer has testing result, article, ASTM testing to compare both combustible mixt?

John06.10.2013

Since when API is taking care of drivers safety so I guess polution doesn't count ???. We should not push back on alternatives fuel, in the other hand we can push car manufactures to design for alternative fuel and in the other hand control the dispense of alternative fuel and also educate the consumers about it.

LUIS DA SILVA06.09.2013

Here in Brazil we have burning a mix of Ethanol and gasoline in our cars for many years. Since the nineties the air/fuel ratio has been adjusted eletronically by means of the so-called Flex-Fuel EFI(Electronic Fuel Injection). You can go from 0% to 100% Ethanol without having to change anything: If you fill up the tank with 100% Ethanol, and in the next refuellings you add 100% gasoline, the mix in the tank will gradually go down to 0% ethanol. The EFI device also adjusts Air/Fuel Ratio to meet Emissions regulations.

Prakash Jagannath Lakhapate06.07.2013

By adding 15% ethanol in fuel probably the complete combustion is achieved hence temperature during combustion may be higher hence engine might be getting damaged. If engines are designed as per combustion results after addition of 15% ethanol then it should be accepted.

Charles06.07.2013

The EPA requires no one to put E15 in their gas tank. What happened to the "unfettered free market" that cures all market problems? Now the oil companies and the Tea Partty want BIG government to step in and impose an intrusive federal regulation tyhat strangles innovation, adds cost, and limits freedom? Who is kidding whom?

Rafael06.07.2013

As always the government pretending they know better and particularly this government. Listen to the real experts on this matter.

Alex Major06.07.2013

The EPA should do some serious testing on 2001 and later model cars before approving any new blend of fuel. I agrree with API and the Supreme Court should have the approval put on hold until the EPA can prove that the blend will not damage any internal componenetes of the engines.!!

Norm06.07.2013

4 years ago my Brother-in law had his car break down inMinnesota with an overdose of Ethaanol his Colorado carcould not handle.I'm with the API, we have adequate fuel for our automobileswithout the use of Ethanol !